Deputy foreign minister to visit US for economic security talks

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday that Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a will travel to the United States from Sunday through Wednesday, with bilateral talks scheduled Monday with US Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jacob Helberg.

The two sides are expected to discuss ways to strengthen supply chains and advance economic security cooperation, as well as measures to promote mutually beneficial trade and investment.

Kim will also attend the 10th Korea-US Public-Private Joint Economic Forum on Tuesday, where the agenda centers on "strengthening Korea-US economic security and industrial capacity." Kim is set to deliver a keynote address on deepening bilateral economic cooperation, with a focus on the shipbuilding and energy sectors.

During the visit, Kim plans to meet with academics and conduct outreach activities aimed at broadening congressional support for the Korea-US relationship following the American midterm elections.

Kim met with Helberg in June to brief him on South Korea's preparations for US-bound investment, including the implementation of the Korea-US Strategic Investment Special Act and the launch of the Korea-US Strategic Investment Corporation. At the time, Kim called for continued consultations on regulatory improvements to underpin shipbuilding cooperation.